Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden-brown chicken thighs with a rich herb butter sauce that melts into the meat for a deeply satisfying keto dinner. This american-inspired keto ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on, avocado oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 8 chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 1 minute).
  3. Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 10-12 minutes until skin is deep golden and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Flip chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
  6. Step 6: Add the remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil to the skillet, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Step 7: Add 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme, stirring until butter melts and herbs are fragrant (about 1 minute).
  8. Step 8: Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, return chicken to skillet, and spoon sauce over chicken.
  9. Step 9: Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep avocado oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter?

American keto like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes